TALE XX.

THE BROTHERS.

A brother noble,

Whose nature is so far from doing harms,

That he suspects none; on whose foolish honesty
My practice may ride easy. - Lear.

He lets me feed with hinds,

Bars me the place of brother. - As You Like It.

'Twas I, but 't is not I: I do not shame

To tell you what I was, being what I am. - As You Like It.

221

TALE XX.

1754-1832

THE BROTHERS. (1)

THAN old George Fletcher, on the British coast,
Dwelt not a seaman who had more to boast:
Kind, simple, and sincere he seldom spoke,
But sometimes sang and chorus'd-"Hearts of oak!”
In dangers steady, with his lot content,
His days in labour and in love were spent.

He left a Son so like him, that the old

With joy exclaim'd, "'T is Fletcher we behold;"
But to his Brother when the kinsmen came,
And view'd his form, they grudged the father's name.

George was a bold, intrepid, careless lad, With just the failings that his father had;

(1) [ Mr. Crabbe, ever a tender and beneficent brother, sent his sister, the late Mrs. Sparkes, to a millinery establishment at Ipswich, with the first money he received at Belvoir; and, gratefully attached as she was in return, there is reason to believe that this tale was composed during a little transitory coldness, which—how originating it is now forgotten had inter

Isaac was weak, attentive, slow, exact,

With just the virtues that his father lack'd.

George lived at sea: upon the land a guest – He sought for recreation, not for rest

While, far unlike, his brother's feebler form Shrank from the cold, and shudder'd at the storm; Still with the Seaman's to connect his trade,

The boy was bound where blocks and ropes were made.

George, strong and sturdy, had a tender mind, And was to Isaac pitiful and kind;

A very father, till his art was gain'd,
And then a friend unwearied he remain'd;
He saw his brother was of spirit low,
His temper peevish, and his motions slow;
Not fit to bustle in a world,
or make
Friends to his fortune for his merit's sake;
But the kind sailor could not boast the art
Of looking deeply in the human heart;
Else had he seen that this weak brother knew
What men to court - what objects to pursue;
That he to distant gain the way discern'd,
And none so crooked but his genius learn'd.

Isaac was poor, and this the brother felt; He hired a house, and there the Landman dwelt; Wrought at his trade, and had an easy home, For there would George with cash and comforts come⚫ And when they parted, Isaac look'd around, Where other friends and helpers might be found.

He wish'd for some port-place, and one might fall,
He wisely thought, if he should try for all;
He had a vote- and were it well applied,
Might have its worth-and he had views beside;
Old Burgess Steel was able to promote

An humble man who served him with a vote;
For Isaac felt not what some tempers feel,
But bow'd and bent the neck to Burgess Steel;
And great attention to a Lady gave,
His ancient friend, a maiden spare and grave:
One whom the visage long and look demure
Of Isaac pleased
- he seem'd sedate and pure;
And his soft heart conceived a gentle flame
For her who waited on this virtuous dame:
Not an outrageous love, a scorching fire,
But friendly liking and chastised desire;
And thus he waited, patient in delay,
In present favour and in fortune's way.

George then was coasting-war was yet delay'd, And what he gain'd was to his brother paid; Nor ask'd the Seaman what he saved or spent ; But took his grog, wrought hard, and was content; Till war awaked the land, and George began To think what part became a useful man : "Press'd, I must go; why, then, 't is better far "At once to enter like a British tar,

“Than a brave captain and the foe to shun, "As if I fear'd the music of a gun."

"Go not!" said Isaac-"You shall wear disguise." "What!" said the Seaman, " clothe myself with